Relative importance of psychologic and social variables in TMJ pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) signs

The aim of this study was to measure the relative importance of a number of psychologic and social variables in explaining the severity of signs of functional disturbances of the stomatognathic system. A group of 261 non care seeking patients with respect to pain and dysfunction of the stomatognathic system were examined. The total sample consisted of two subgroups: Group one (n = 130) with a complete natural dentition and Group two (n = 131) wearing complete maxillary and mandibular dentures. Signs of functional disturbances of the stomatognathic system were assessed using the Clinical Dysfunction Index and a Palpation Test. The patients also completed the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist, the Dutch Personality Inventory and a Dutch form of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Patient education, age and sex were also registered. In both patient subgroups signs of functional disturbances of the stomatognathic system were significantly correlated with patient's sex and a complex of highly intercorrelated psychologic variables: psychoneurotic and somatic symptoms, neuroticism and somatization.